FPI signs open letter regarding Kyrgyz human rights defender Azimjon Askarov

January 26, 2012

H.E. Almazbek Atambaev
President
Kyrgyz Republic
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Mr. President:

We are writing to express our concern regarding the continued incarceration of Azimjon Askarov. Independent observers unanimously agree that Mr. Askarov’s trial and appeals were marred by serious procedural violations of the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.  During the trial his lawyers were subject to physical attack and threats in the courtroom in the presence of the judge and police, which made it impossible for them to effectively question witnesses.  While in pre-trial detention, Mr. Askarov, an elderly man, was himself the victim of torture.

A renowned U.S. medical expert recently examined Mr. Askarov and concluded that he has suffered severe and lasting physical injuries as a result of his arrest and incarceration. He needs immediate medical help for persistent visual loss, traumatic brain injury, and spinal injury. In addition, he requires immediate evaluation for chest pain and shortness of breath, symptoms which are strongly suggestive of coronary artery disease and could be life threatening without immediate treatment.  Despite his ill health, Mr. Askarov has announced his intention to embark on a hunger strike in protest at his unjust treatment. 

During his many years of work as a human rights defender, Mr. Askarov made a significant contribution to efforts to improve the rule of law in the Kyrgyz Republic and to protect the rights of many individual citizens of the Republic.  He is the recipient of numerous international awards for his human rights work.   We understand from your public statements that reform of law enforcement and the judiciary will be high priorities for your Administration.  Mr. Askarov’s continued incarceration following an unfair trial is a black mark against both the police and judicial systems, as witnessed by critical statements made by foreign governments and organizations following the Supreme Court’s rejection of his final appeal, including by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay. 

Based on the significant flaws in the handling of his case, his contributions to the Kyrgyz Republic, and his ill health we strongly believe that he should be released from prison so that he may seek the medical treatment he urgently requires.  We urge you to grant Azimjon Askarov an immediate pardon on humanitarian grounds, or to ensure his release from prison in any other way acceptable under the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Sincerely,

Albanian Helsinki Committee
Article 19
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Belarusian Human Rights House
Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
CATENA, Turkmenistan
CBM EU Liaison Office
Centre for Civil Liberties (Ukraine)
Crude Accountability
Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights (Russia)
EUCAM
Eurasian Transition Group
FIDH
The Foreign Policy Centre
The Foreign Policy Initiative
Freedom Files (Russia)
Freedom House
Frontline Defenders
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
Golos Svobody (Kyrgyzstan)
Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly – Vanadzor (Armenia)
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland)
Human Rights Centre (Azerbaijan)
Human Rights House Foundation (Norway)
Human Rights Monitoring Institute (Lithuania)
Human Rights Watch
Hungarian Helsinki Committee
Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (Azerbaijan)
International Crisis Group
International Partnership for Human Rights (Belgium)
International Republican Institute
Jefferson Institute
Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Legal Policy Research Centre (Kazakhstan)
Moscow Helsinki Group
Netherlands Helsinki Committee
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Nota Bene (Tajikistan)
OMCT
Open Society Foundations
Partner Group Precedent (Kyrgyzstan)
People in Need (Czech Republic)
Physicians for Human Rights
Promo LEX Association (Moldova)
Protection International
Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
UNITED for Intercultural Action
World Movement for Democracy
Youth Human Rights Movement